Re: Authorship:
Here is page 41 of Indische Zoologie Forster 1781 :
https://books.google.com/books?id=-...zxDqwQ6AEIHzAA#v=onepage&q=borbonicus&f=false .
I can not find on BHL?
On this page is Turdus borbonicus and Motacilla borbonica with references to Brisson.
In 1982ish Mr. Cheke thought that Certhia borbonica Boddaert 1783 was the earliest. The identity of Buffon's Grand Traquet, and other
mysteries in eighteenth century descriptions of birds from the Mascarene Islands and their nomenclature B.B. O. C.
Zoonomen from 2009:
Zosterops borbonicus Citation
Conventionally cited to Gmelin, 1789 (e.g. Peters Checklist 12:333; H&M 3rd:630). Though these authorities make this citation without discussion or supporting arguments. Their "researches", if any, perhaps extended as far as the citation in the CBBM 9:195 (Gadow) which cites the name to Gmelin 1788 (sic).
Gmelin's 1789 use of the name is based upon Brisson's Ficedula borbonica (Briss., av. 3 p.510 n.60 t.28 f.3), Buffon's "Petite Simon" (Buff. ois. 5 p.280), and Latham's "Bourbon Warbler" (Lath. syn. II p.475 n.92).
Material that has already been published (The Richmond Index) makes it clear that in 1781 Forster used the name Motacilla borbonica for this bird based on Brisson's Orn. 3, p.510, pl.28 f.3. It is my interpretation that despite the renderings of the above authorities, the available published material makes it clear that Forster's name has priority.
2009.03.21